For farms and orchards, hard cider can be more than just another product on the shelf along with pies, fritters and produce. Instead, it can become a major part of the guest experience and a key revenue driver. At Eckert’s in Illinois, the addition of the Cider Shed helped transform how visitors engage with the farm, blending pick-your-own traditions with a craft beverage experiences that keep guests staying longer and spending more. In this episode of the Cider Business Podcast on BREWER, Jerry Hearn shares how Eckert’s approached bringing cider production in-house, building agritainment around the process, and using hard cider to create stronger on-farm connections.
